The Archers built a huge lead early that proved enough cushion in a second-half meltdown as they repulsed the NU Bulldogs, 74-63.
La Salle bucked a two-point production in a long stretch in the final half and closed in on the leaders with a second straight win following two successive defeats.
The Bulldogs slid down to 1-4 while the Warriors reeled with a fifth loss in as many games.
The Archers came out with their guns ablaze racing to a 59-36 halftime lead before suddenly losing firepower, making only two free throws in the first 13 minutes of the second half.
Point guard LA Revilla shook up La Salle from its second-half nightmare, and the Archers went on to score a follow-up on their 79-67 win over the UP Maroons Saturday.
The Archers went 0-of-10 from the field in the third quarter, allowing the Bulldogs to charge to within 12 at 49-61.
The Bulldogs came closer at 54-61 before the Archers regained their bearing, reestablishing a double-digit margin at 69-56 entering the last three minutes of the game.
“We kinda relaxed (in the third period) but we did not give up and we just continued playing,” said Revilla, the comebacking guard who led the Archers with 19 points that went with six steals and five rebounds.
Sophomore wingman Joseph Marata added 12 points while rookie center Arnold Van Opstal and Oda Tampus chipped in 10 points apiece.
Glenn Khobuntin had a career-high 21 points and seven rebounds while Bobby Ray Parks produced 13 points, five boards and three steals for NU. – Nelson Beltran